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Eytinge, Solomon Jr. (1833-1905)

William Winter describes Solomon Eytinge, Jr. as "[a] man of original and deeply interesting character, an artist of exceptional facility, possessed of a fine imagination and great warmth of feeling [. . .] In his prime as a draughtsman he was distinguished for the felicity of his invention, the richness of his humor, and the tenderness of his pathos. He had a keen wit and was the soul of kindness and mirth” (Old Friends 317). Though he worked as a successful illustrator on the books of authors like Alcott, Browning, Tennyson, Harte, Holmes, Lowell, and Whittier, Eytinge is best-remembered as the illustrator who first used the motif of Tiny Tim perched on Bob Cratchit’s shoulders for an 1867 edition of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In addition to illustrating other Dickens’ works including Bleak House, Dombey and Son, and A Tale of Two Cities, Eytinge also painted an oil portrait of the author during his second American tour from 1867-1868. According to William Winter, Dickens claimed that Eytinge "made the best illustrations for his novels and the best portrait of himself" (Old Friends 66).

As a measure of his critical and commercial success, Eytinge’s caricatures also began appearing regularly in Harper’s Weekly in the 1870s. Some of his sketches are redrawn from original work by Theodore Davis and W.H. Redding. His work addresses the theme of poverty as it existed in the city side-by-side with upper-class opulence. This theme occurs in "Hearth-stone of the poor-- waste steam not wanted" and in "Rich and Poor," both of which appeared in Harper’s in the early 1870s. He was also “celebrated for his humorous negro drawings of the 'Small Breed Family’” (Paine 21).

Etyinge illustrated the works of his fellow Pfaffians. He drew illustrations to accompany Charles Henry Webb’s Liffith Lank and St. Twel’mo, and contributed to the work of Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Bayard Taylor, and Fitz-James O’Brien. He also illustrated the work of Washington Irving who, along with Dickens and Poe, was a favorite writer of the Pfaff’s crowd. Eytinge can be considered a Pfaffian, but he was also a member of a Bohemian group that predated Pfaff’s. That group included Gayler, North, Bellew, Charles G. Rosenberg, Seymour, and O’Brien and, according to William Winter, "unlike the Pfaff’s coterie, was, after a fortuitous fashion, organized, and it had a name,--the remarkable name of the Ornithorhyncus Club." The club was named after a Duck-Billed Platypus (Old Friends 308).

References & Biographical Resources

Gunn briefly describes Sol Eytinge: "With the Wauds & Sol Eytinge to Hoboken subsequently. A clear summer's night with innumerable stars above, Will Waud doing the snob-mephistopheles at them and creation generally, his brother and I rebuking him. Sol Eytinge, a quaint, dissipated, good looking fellow (of whom I'll put down more hereafter,) said but little, only at the close "Things don't go right some how" (134)!

Gunn describes a caricature Sol Eytinge created of his brother Clarence Eytinge: "Sol had just completed a caricature of his brother Clarence, which made his appearance in a pair of the tightest, most skin-fitting pants conceivable. In the evening had sat down to writing when Damoreau, Alf & Clarence Eytinge came up, An hour after, Eytinge having left, came Banks" (140).

Gunn describes a drunken Waud and Eytinge chaffing Levison: "By 8 the Wauds and Sol came up, but went on their way to Haneys, I following when I had finished No 2 of my "Pen scratches," with intent to subsequently visit Parton. But the fellows were engaged with Scheidam Schapps, and smoke, and Levison coming up was chaffed in such a ridiculous manner by Sol and Alf, (both playing drunk in doing it,) as the Echtor of the sanguinary Picayune, that 'twas over late when we left" (143).

Gunn stops at the Waud & Eytinge Office to Eytinge loafing in an adjacent office: "Monday. Writing to Hannah. Down town, calling at Avery's, from whom I had received a note, to Fulton Market, Post Office and the Waud & Eytinge Office. The triumvirate were loafing in Brown the Lithographer's adjacent room, he swing- ing in hammock, Alf turning over lithographs, Will "reducing" a picture by squares, and Sol with unkempt hair and desultory appearance. The smaller Waud too has demided himself of his hyperionic whiskers, retaining only moustache and tuft, and now looks like a dapper Frenchman" (150).

Gunn and Haney dine at the boarding house, where Eytinge blasphemes Levison: "He [Haney] was very kind. I went up town with him, supped at the boarding house, sat awhile in the Basement (where Sol was blaspheming Levison, – his every second sentence being a request "togo to H––l;")" (175).

Gunn describes a day with Eytinge: "Hobokenizing with Sol till 1, it being a fresh, sunny, lovely day. Up among the old Weechauwken rocks, in search of health. Painful indigestion and head ache. Return to Bleecker Street boarding house, 132 . W. W. came for Sol, to see Clarence's embarkation for Marseilles. I remained painfully endeavouring to draw big cut for "Young Sam," rubbing out, time after time" (185).

Gunn describes a stroll with Will Waud, Eytinge stayed at Banner's barroom: "An Hoboken stroll with Sol Eytinge and W. Waud, or rather with the latter, (for Sol dropping into Banner's bar-room, remained there till our return.) The day was as cold as though the icy wind blew from the very heart of the frozen north, and the Hudson all ruffled with foamy waves. They dashed and brawled among the piers and shipping with a blusterous, confused roar, suggestive of terrible seas and ships going down in the Atlantic" (188).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's appearance and character: "In doors, in our basement the rest of the day, mostly writing. Sol attempting an oil sketch of himself, and failing, in consequence of a lazy dislike to get up and procure other colors than those to his hand, W Waud reading, Haney trying writing, and Wood present, as he has been considerally of late. Sol is a handsome fellow, with a bold aquiline nose, and bright brown hair, tall withal, and prone to dress well. He has great talent with his pencil, but is over addicted to loafing, and has fits of the blues. I think him a sensitive and kind hearted fellow, and his humors and queer speeches are infinitely amusing. His ordinary speech is overmuch garnished with oaths, 'bloody's' and 'blasts', and even uglier expressions, in which he is emulated by W Waud, who has assumed a sort of ruffianism of dialect, insomuch that his very tone of voice is unpleasantly defiant. But Sol is infinitely the better fellow" (189-190).

Gunn describes an evening at the boarding house: "Returned to Bleecker, and had an unsatisfactory day. Levison had carried "Shorts" (as Sol as nicknamed the minor Waud) off with him to make New Year's calls, Haney had gone (after 12) to the Edwards' and only Sol and I remained. Dinner was delayed till 6, Mrs Potter (our boarding house mistress) and others sit- ting in state receiving visitors" (191).

Gunn says Eytinge will have to sing solo since "Shorts" left: "Sol drawing some little, loafing infinitely more. Wood in frequently. He is a whiskered, clean shaven, educated Englishman, who teaches English to Spaniards at an adjacent college. Less operatic discord since the departure of "Shorts", Sol having to sing solo. Levison down occasionally, and generally previous to supper he, Haney and Sol hauling one another about, doing grotesque gambols and making a hideous uproar. Much half earnest, half in jest abuse, and unlimited absurdity" (191-192).

Eytinge tells Gunn about Jim Parton's marriage to Fanny Fern: "In doors all day writing. Sol returning from down town tells that Parton is married to "Fanny Fern." It occurred on Saturday afternoon or evening" (193).

Gunn and Eytinge go out for oysters after Gunn returns from a visit to Parton and Fanny Fern: "Returning to basement found Sol as wont "knocked" and melancholic – partly on account of a sick brother, partly his own look-out in life. Out with him for oysters. I've my theory how Parton's marriage came about" (195).

Gunn describes an putting with Haney and Eytinge: "Haney and Sol coming, Banks left. Out with them after drinks, to a newly started Cafe chansant, where was a dreary ball fizzling out – and meeting Gaylor in Broadway returned with him to the Ornithorincus. In the upper room were Yewell, Arnold and O'Brien. Sol had received $30 or so to day, so he must needs stand drinks and a snack. Talk of Walt Whitman's poem, politics, and miscellanous matters" (208).

Gunn mentions that Eytinge is not feeling well: "Generally writing at nights till latish. Sol with a sort throat below, which combined with a bust at the Ornitherycus, temporarily has floored him" (216).

Gunn describes Eytinge's demeanor when he visits a sick Haney: "Haney has been sick, looking as yellow as mary-gold leaves, and lay up for an evening or so, in his chamber, whither I went to see him, generally finding Sol & W Waud there. They consort much together, as heretofore. W is pretty coolishly-civil to me, but Sol's demeanour is changed since the return. He has tried the half jesting half- spiteful slang-whonging continually at me, and I detect three or four phrases at W W's coming– as written to Alf about me. Wherefore I think Sol's something of a mouth-piece for unmerited venom. Now I'm healthier in body and mind, and not ill prepared for conversational tilting. Sol lives in too palpable a glass house not to afford awful scope for well directed pebbles. Accordingly when he comments on my "loathsome appearance," mimics my speech, predicts miserable failure of my book &c. I touch on his Israelitish descent, general industry, and cheerfulness under Brown's displeasure (!) Waud says little" (219-220).

Gunn includes a watercolor and pencil sketch of himself by Eytinge: "Sketched by Sol Eytinge. Pretty good all but the nose, which, I think, rather too solid and acquiline" (4).

Gunn describes his feelings of Sol Eytinge: "I have come to an open rupture with Sol Eytinge, which chanced thus. Bellew mounts to my chamber on Saturday night and invites me to go round to the Ornithoryncus, which I do. Banks and Wurzbach there, and anon W Waud and Eytinge. We drank and talked miscellaneously in the bar, a word or two passing 'twixt myself and Sol, after the usual style. For the last three weeks or so – ever since the return of W. W. he has adopted an invidious style of chaff, one part jest, three parts spite, towards me. I recognize the tone of W W in it. Now unless there's an undercurrent of goodwill, this diversion is always a dangerous one. When I am sick in body and mind, Sol, and sometimes others come off, (by the aid of friendly laughs on the art of their clique) comparatively triumphant. But let me be in time and I am as dextrous in word-fence as any of them, and resentment at the secret ill-nature dictating such repeated attacks helps me to a knowledge of where there's a row to be hit. Well – to return to the Ornithorycus. Bellew suggested a move to the club room. I had passed into the inner chamber on my way upstairs, when Eytinge, in reply to Bellews invitation said something about "somebody who wasn't a member having no right to go up! Thinking that I was aimed at, and that a deliberate insult before others was intended I turned back, and asked him what business it was of his. He alluded to W. W. as it proved, and that being explained, I went up. Since that time we don't speak. That subsequent evening was an agreablish one" (8-9).

Gunn says Sol Eytinge and himself are speaking again: "W W and Sol Eytinge have taken a room in Nassau Street, where they work diurnally. Sol and I are on speaking terms again" (20).

Gunn talks of Sol Eytinge's behavior since Will Waud's departure: "Sol is remarkably quiet, and little at home since W. W's departure. He is short of $ and engaged in one of his periodical feuds with Brown, so don't work for him. Has been away visiting his sister for the last day and a half. He has, also, some outstanding squabble with Haney about money – I suppose some loan business. Is working for Frank Leslie, when here, the office in Nassau Street being apparently abandoned. W. W. told me he owed some $80 or so, ere his departure for Boston. I question if he won't be back in New York, failing to make $ enough to return to England. After a home silence of over six months he got a letter from his mother, intimating severe sickness on the part of his father as the reason for cessation of correspondence – if reason it can be called" (43-44).

Gunn describes the decor of the hut, mentioning Sol Eytinge's unfinished drawing: "The hut was ornamented by Stone's lithograph of the Falls, published some two months back. Though not strictly faithful, and rather hugely wrought in point of effect – he's got midnight below, a storm coming on and, woods on fire above – 'tis, (thanks to the lithographer) every way better than I had expected, and so well done that Sol and Alf Waud's chance is smashed. The project was, originally, Alfs but Sol has delayed putting it on stone so long, that this anticipation has occurred. At present a day and half's work would have completed Sol's drawing." (51-52).

Gunn says that Sol Eytinge and Jesse Haney do not speak: "Sol and Haney don't speak, the former being engaged, exclusively, drawing on wood for Leslie. He is very quiet, and occasionally disappears for a day or so – presumably going into the country" (58).

Gunn describes a night with Sol and Wood: "Out to Wild's at night, with Sol and Wood, I leaving them to go to the candy man's and councellor. A rowdy, Rynderish, torchlight procession, boys, black- guards and loafers – in honor of Buchanan. At the Ornithoryncus for five minutes. Sol full of insult and chaff, lager-bearing with Wood and a foolish faced youth" (63).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's characteristics and background, including his feud with Jesse Haney: "I learnt this morning the true cause of Haney and Sol's non-intercourse. Sol has conveyed away "Allie Vernon" somewhere, and is now keeping her as his mistress. The husband Covill was yesterday at the Picayune Office, crying, and asking of Levison (who is my informant) the address of Sol's mother. It appears Haney took Sol to Street, and introduced him to Allie, and an intrigue immediately followed, resulting in her abandoning Covill. Hence Sol's championship of Allie against Watson is explained... Sol always speaks affectionately both of father and mother. She is a lady like woman, and has money of her own. There are, too, a number of handsome and accomplished sisters of Sols – one of whom has recently got married. Sol hates his brother in law like the devil" (65-67).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's relationship with Allile Vernon: "He (Sol) only appeared once, for a few minutes, going into the basement (of which he retains the key. Allie's trunk is there. I walked down the street in his rear, designing to pass him, leisurely, and thus ascertain whether he would chose to accost me. On gaining Broadway he dived into a Lager Bier cellar. Writing to Alf Waud during the afternoon, principally about cuts to book. 18. Thursday. Nothing but Sol's escapade talked of at the breakfast table. Covill below with a policeman wanting to effect entrance into Sol's room to seize box. I saw him. A puny, frail looking fellow, a mere boy. Mrs Potter, our landlady denominates Eytinge "a villain" and says the husband ought to hire a nigger to assault him. Mrs Levison suggests a pistol. Levison assumes a slightly moral perch, but asserts that anybody would have done the same "if they had the chance." Haney "feels bad about it" as he introduced Sol to the house of Allie's husband" (69).

Gunn says that Haney started to suspect Sol Eytinge's relationship with Allie Vernon: "Josey was a visitor, too, and Master Will Waud "was mad after her." He would fain have anticipated Sol's present rôle, and persuaded her to leave her husband; being only prevented by a hint from Haney, conveyed through Sol. Well, Haney soon began to suspect Sol's game. His absences from the boarding-house, when he was presumed to be visiting his mother at Long Island, were spent at a place in the "English Neighbourhood", at the back of Fort Lee, where Allie had gone to, for a summer week or so. And so the business grew to its present aspect" (71).

Gunn describes Soly Eytinge's agitation that Covill went to see his mother: "To the Post Office, and then, leaving a line of caution for Sol, I returned up town, to dinner. A letter from Hannah. I put this in a distinct sentence, that it may not be soiled with the foetid matter preceeding it. Ought opportunity to her pure self should receive reverence. Now to my puddle again. I sat drawing till sunset, Haney being sick and a bed in his own room, at the other angle of the attic floor, when Sol came up, and asked me about "that d__d mysterious letter," – as he called it. I told him what had taken place at the house, he appearing defiant and excited. "He knew what he had been about!" "He'd done what anybody would have done, under the same circumstances!" I told him Covill had been to his Mother's, and she knew it! "What?" He paced up and down the room uttering a string of blasphemies, and swearing he would murder the "G_d__m stinking little _____!" I never saw any face more frightfully excited. Allie, he said, had gone back to Forsyth Street, and her husband. He had seen Covill. Presently he went down stairs, but did not go in to supper, though the landlady invited him. Subsequently I found him lying on his bed, and presently he asked me to take the cars, go to his mothers residence, and get Clarence to come down at once" (71-72).

Gunn says that Wood is suspicious of Sol's actions: "He [Wood] guessed at some of the business Sol had in hand; and had met Will Waud walking with Josey, as she flaunted in Broadway" (72).

Gunn says that Sol Eytinge asked Jesse Haney for his forgiveness: "Friday. In doors all day. Drawing till sumset. Haney in his room, sickish, half the day. Sol had visited him yester-evening, asked his forgiveness, and "cried like a child." I'm glad that his mother and sisters do not know of it.Haney in his room, sickish, half the day. Sol had visited him yester-evening, asked his forgiveness, and "cried like a child." I'm glad that his mot- her and sisters do not know of it. This I ascertained on my last night's visit, from Clare and his sister's reception. Yet Covill had intimated his intention of seeing Mrs Eytinge, inquiring the address of Haney, and saying he could get it from the Directory, if refused information. The mother's anxiety had been excited by a newspaper description of a drowned man, which she fancied, resembled Sol. Of course I didn't enlighten Clarence." (72-73).

Wood tells Gunn that Covill had discovered Allie Vernon at a hotel and went to get her: "Saw Wood for some ten minutes in the basement, with Sol. During the latters temporary absence, the former told me that Covill had discovered whither Allie had been conveyed – to a Brooklyn hotel – took her back to New York, and when Sol presented himself the landlord "blew him up like h__l" for bringing the woman to his house. Wood had gone over, yesterday, to pay the bill. So ends the great Elopement of Allie Vernon with Sol Eytinge – if it end here" (74).

Gunn says Sol Eytinge received a letter from Covill, asking him to see his wife: "The Thursday evening proved an eventful one for Sol. As I was journeying up the Sixth Avenue, his mother was on the way to Bleecker Street, – under the mis-apprehension of her son's proving to be the drowned German. I fancy Sol's state of mind, as he lay on his bed, when his mother entered the room – he being fully persuaded she knew of his recent proceedings. The gas burnt low and he didn't want her to turn it up – so Wood says. "I've no doubt" added he "that she came to the conclusion that he was infernally drunk." The events of the night didn't end here. At a later period Sol received a visit from no other individual than Covill – who came to beg Mr Eytinge to step round to see his wife, as she was in hysterics &c!!! And Sol went. Wood believes he goes there every day, now" (75-76).

Gunn describes an encounter with Sol Eytinge: "Found Bellew and Haney dining in a restaurant opposite. Anon they left and Sol Eytinge came up. He talked with Alf awhile and then had a row with me, using any amount of foul language. I told him he was an ass and a liar, and anticipated a fight, but the matter ended with talk" (82).

Gunn describes a conversation with Alf Waud, in which he learns more of Sol Eytinge's affair with Allie Vernon: "I've learnt much from him of his brother, and Sol's affair with Allie Vernon. The intimacy is still continued; Sol visiting her. The husband, I suppose, is aware of it, and talks of going west. She don't want to go. Alf thinks Sol would give it up, but she won't let him. Eytinge is much down upon Will Waud, and talked of liking him, if he came to New York. Says that Will took all the money for a co-partnership lithograph, and spent it in a summer suit in order to fascinate Josey. Will declares Sol threw up the job, and he had all the trouble. (Between them I suspect they swindled the landlord of their office rent.) Will stoutly denies the Josey business, asserting that she played Mrs Portiphar to his Joseph, bundled the servant out of the room when he visited her and otherwise hinted accessability. Going out with her, or meeting her in Broadway, he took her down to some refreshment place, and popped upon Sol, Haney, Wood &c. He tells how when they were all in a boat together, Allie, her husband, Josey, Sol and Haney, the two latter cuddling the former, Covill roaring, and Josey sitting near him, she began to complain in her idiotically affected way that there was nobody to make poor ittle Jothey tumforthable, and to wish Mr Somebody wath there &c! Haney and Sol both are positive as to Will's Juanic intentions. I think him as innocent – as they are, and not a whit more. He corresponds with the girl he seduced at Sydenham. She is a mother, lives with her parents, who are – not without reason, I think – down on him. He sometimes thinks – he says – of bringing her to America, and marrying her. Says also that she is a fool, that 'twas her fault, she used to come in his room, that she went in the country and came back with the portrait of a cousin &c &c" (92-93).

Jesse Haney tells a story about a beggar he and Sol Eytinge encountered on the street, demonstrating Eytinge's charity: "It is extremely characteristic instance of Sol Eytinge's charity. Haney was accompanying him up the Sixth Avenue (on Sunday last) when an Irish beggar of very equivocal sobriety accosted them with the customary whine of mendicancy "Gentlemen have pity on a poor &c &c I'm cowld, – and hungry – and naked –! &c &c." "It's all right, – it's all right!" says Sol. "No, gentlemen it's not all right! I am cowld – &c &c!" "I know you'll be drunk and in the gutter in five minutes!" says Sol, giving him a quarter dollar, and moving on. Haney, who had been searching his pocket for cents, had also moved round so as to become over-conscious of the smell of spirits; and as he and Sol continued their walk remonstrated with Sol on his injudicious charity. "But," says Sol, quietly, and perfectly unconscious of the peculiarity of his reply, "he drinks, you know, and hasn't got any money. And I always pity a fellow who drinks!" Farther on some boys informed them that the man was "a regular old sucker!" And on Sol, presently, inviting Haney to drink, it appeared that he had but another shilling in the world" (114)!

Gunn describes Eytinge's lack of reaction to Allie Vernon being in an asylum and his desire to leave the boarding house: "Poor creature. What a life! what a conclusion! Her late paramour Sol Eytinge seems not much troubled by it. He consorts with Cahill, appears but little at table and talks of giving up his basement quarters, but hasn't energy enough to mention his desire to Mrs Potter. I think I might live two centuries in the same house with him without any desire to renew our acquaintance" (143).

Gunn learns of Eytinge's and Cahill's drinking experience in the basement: "To Bellews in the morning and returned to Bleecker Street with him. Kelly and, afterwards, little Edge called in the afternoon, the latter telling me how he had been in the basement, where the fellows (Eytinge and Cahill) had drunk up a quart of gin that morning and Sol was perfectly insensible" (166).

Gunn learns that Allie Vernon is not a lunatic after all, and Eytinge is supporting her: "The report about Allie Vernon's lunacy – Mrs Potter got it from Mrs Levison, who had it from her husband – would seem false. Sol Eytinge "keeps" her, paying for her board at some establishment. He designs leaving here – Mrs P supposes to commence house keeping with his mistress. Her child is with her, also. Her former paramour and Sol's precursor (by one or two) Watson the long-necked, vulturous looking engraver has been doing a new villany, as I read in the papers" (171).

Gunn says that Allie Vernon lives with Sol Eytinge in Brooklyn: "Sol Eytinge has taken a little house in Brooklyn, where he lives with "Allie Vernon" as his concubine. His brother, young Clarence knows of the affair, as he met me in Broadway and began talking of it. Alf Waud doesn't write to me" (183).

Gunn describes a letter Will Waud found from Allie to Haney: "I visit his office some twice a week, generally seeing Sol Eytinge at work there. Apropos of him, or matters in connection with him, while in Boston, of course the "Allie" business was talked over with Will Waud. He, Will, told me, in confidence, that he had once picked up a letter from Allie to Haney, in which she apostrophized him as "her little brown beauty" and invited him to "come to her arms", stating the time when Covill would be out of the way" (224-225)!

Gunn describes Cahill's intentions to break off relations with Sol Eytinge and the Vernon sisters: "Cahill finds visiting Sol's menage a bore and an infliction. Sol is imperious and expects his invitations to be accepted sans demur, resenting it, if otherwise. He went so far as to talk about punching Cahill's head and kicking &c &c because instead of going over to Brooklyn one Sunday to dine with him, Cahill preferred a trip to Sandy Hook or Shrewsbury with Haney. Sol has all the angry suspicions incidental to his position, thinking that his acquaintances fight shy of Allie and Co. Josey wants Cahill to assume the same relations towards her that Sol has to her sister. Allie wouldn't object to it, of course, and perhaps not Sol ––– for he'd got rid of the expense of keeping her. Cahill's been doing a little love making but decidedly objects to anything further, knows that Josey is a fool and a strumpet, and wants to sink the entire concern. So he invites Josey to go to the theatre anticipating Sol will propose accompanying him with Allie. This, he says, he shall demur against, expecting Sol will, then, ask him why he don't keep the girl if he wants her &c &c. Then Cahill will say perhaps he'd better not come to see them any more, and so snap off" (230).

Gunn includes a newspaper clipping and engraving by Cahill, providing advice for married couples for when single friends visit, in which he annotates: "Cahill's article, (got from Sol's domestic relations.)" (19).

Gunn says Haney brought Cahill home because he was drunk from drinking with Eytinge and Rosenberg: "While I was down stairs at dinner Haney brought Cahill home, he (Cahill) being exceedingly drunk. Took him up to his room and bed. He had been drinking with Sol Eytinge and Rosenberg" (38).

Gunn describes Wood's opinion of Eytinge: "Going out for my morning's paper met Wood who spoke of Sol Eytinge, declaring it his opinin [sic] that Sol was "most damnably hen-pecked." There's corroborative evidence of this in the reports of Cahill. Allie was averse to Sol's journeying out picnic at Hoboken, which accounts for his bringing nothing in the shape of provant [sic], and intending to leave early" (41-42).

Gunn describes a letter from Alf Waud, in which he discusses Eytinge's idealization of himself: "Writes Alf: "I perceive in Frank Leslie's one of those unpleasant caricatures which Sol makes x x also several attempts at idealizing himself in illustrations of the Christmas poem. Sol must be rapidly getting a very heavy personage." The former is true enough. Sol always does idealize himself in his serious drawings. / The engraver Watson – Allie Vernon's former "protector"–is in Boston now" (47).

Gunn describes a letter from Alf Waud, in which he writes about Allie Vernon and Sol Eytinge's relationship: "He (Watson) boasts that if Allie knew he had money, and he was to try it on, she would leave Sol immediately for him. He gives her credit for mercenary feeling &c swears that she threw herself in his way, that he supplied her with money in considerable sums, employed her sister Joe x x paid $12 a week for Allie's board for some time before x x and that at that time she told him he need not have waited so long for her favors, intimating x x Finally he had to choose between her and his wife, so gave her up, upon which she sent to her husband an account of the affair, and he called on Watson for evidence to get a divorce from her, which he was obliged to give. W. declares it's all nonsense about his ill- using her, that he was quite fascinated by her &c." Elsewhere Waud adds, good naturedly, and with a charming obliviousness of his own position, "It's satisfactory to hear of Sols difficulties and domestic disarrangements – it serves him right. Sol's considerable of an oyster but he wont put up with "Allie dear" always" (54-55).

Wood tells Gunn of Allie Vernon's hoarding Sol Eytinge's money "Met Wood. He says Sol's prosperous, but never has any money (Allie's making a private purse for herself, in view of contingencies), that they're going to take another house and to get rid of Josey" (81).

Gunn describes Allie Vernon and her sister's visit to the the Thomson's, which has caused controversy: "Talking with Sol Eytinge the other day O'B spoke of Willis (N.P.) saying "He's rather sick – I dined with him yesterday." Subsequently Sol met Aldrich (of the "Home Journal") who casually mentioned that he had on that same yesterday introduced O'B to Willis! Only a few common places passed! There may be a jolly row apropos of Mrs Allie 'Eytinge.' She and her chaste sister Josey have got the entree to the Doesticks'. As Sol illustrates Mort Thomson's articles in Frank Leslie's paper, and as both live in Brooklyn, not far apart from each other, Mort talked of inviting 'Mrs'Allie; to avoid which undesirable contingency Haney told him her real relations with Sol. This was some time ago, maybe two or three months. How it fell out, who took the initiative, does not yet appear, but on going their last Sunday – Saturday evening, rather – Haney learnt that Allie and Josey were expected. Moreover Mort's good, sweet, innocent little wife had actually visited that brace of strumpets at Sol's house! Haney said he wasn't on speaking terms with Mrs 'Eytinge' and proposed to clear our, but didn't effect it before the arrival of the visitors. So he had to belie his recent assertion by shaking hands with Allie! Going to Parton's he told them what had happened. Fanny knows all about Sol's domestic relations (I sup- pose Haney told Parton, and he told her) and declared that she won't visit the Thomson's if these strumpets are liable to drop in, when her daughters are there. Quite right too, by Jove. Fancy that good, frank, honest-hearted Grace cheek by jowl with Allie and Josey! How Thomson can admit them to access to his wife I can't conceive. His mother is old enough to take care of herself, to be up to snuff generally, but that that dear little creature who is so good and innocent that its a delight to look at her, should be exposed to such contagion makes one's blood boil! I'd as soon cut my hand off as wink at it were I of kin to her. Thomson must have a moral flaw in him to stand it. Sol is very savage with regard to Haney – as of course the women got to talking of his remark about not wanting to meet Allie. In fact Sol, like the thorough fool he is, thinks that the connection 'twixt him and Allie will be permanent. He'd marry her if he could, they say! He don't dare to introduce her to his own family, but will willingly taunt other honest folks. Now Allie, like her sister, is inherently a harlot. She'll squeeze the hands of his male friends behind his back and, I believe, is as purchasable as the veriest drab that walks the streets. See the unguessable mischief that springs from such a connection. If love could anyway sanctify or palliate adultery, it might in Alf Waud's case" (86-87).

Wood tells Gunn that Allie is taking Eytinge's money as fast as he earns it: "Met Wood. He says the Thomson's and Allie & Josey interchange visits, are quite intimate. Sol never has more than a dollar or so, let him earn what he will – hands it over to Allie, who, of course, is making a purse for herself" (96).

Gunn describes Mort Thompson's reaction when he discovers the truth about Allie and Sol Eytinge's relationship: "Mort inquiring about Allie Vernon. He'd been to Partons and Fanny had told him Allie wasn't Sol's wife. Whereupon, going home, his dear little wife had cried for an hour about it on his shoulder. Thomson says he has but a confused recollection of Haney's informing him how matters stood and he,certainly, wouldn't have permitted the intimacy if he hadn't thought Mrs Allie "Eytinge" wasn't what she assumed to be. She suggested it, in Sol's absence. He "always detested that style of woman," but his wife was friendly to her, living so near together. Of course he's going to stop further intercourse. Good for Doesticks! I'm glad to think he's all right, for his own, as for innocent little "Chips" sake" (98-99).

Gunn talks of Sol Eytinge's intentions to marry Allie Vernon: "To Frank Leslie's. Sol was talking with Nast and the German artist at the end of Leslie's desk, so I gave him good day, to which he responded sulkily. So I knew he implicated me, about the Allie expose at Thomsons. To the Pic Office. Gun installed, Woodward out. Bellew came. O'Brien. To Haney's and Post Office. Return. At 4 in the afternoon Cahill came home, and three hours subsequent I found him in his room on the bed, in a generally wretched state, he having got extremely drunk after dinner, commencing it with Sol Eytinge at Mataran's. Sol's savage and denunciatory, talks of licking people &c, and is going to marry Allie! Of course that persecuted vestal was "broken-hearted" at the receipt of "Chip's" letter. Cahill's good will loosened his tongue about Sol's threats towards me. He expects he will eventually get into an awful row with Sol, having been on the verge of it often. 'Twould be a cowardly business in Eytinge's part as he's the stronger man, but Cahill has pluck and some science and knows that Sol would howl at pain. I am not afraid of him, shan't do anything to provoke a row – if he does let him look out. He has had words with Haney. I suppose – indeed am sure – that Thomson must have told him Sol all that he learnt from us about Allie. His infernal folly will punish itself sweetly by a marriage with the mischievous strumpet. Of course it will be bigamy – perhaps double bigamy – on her part. I don't think it's a matter for lamentation. Morally, she's no worse than her dupe. Cahill went round to Arnold's for an hour and then came back to bed" (109-110).

Gunn describes a conversation with Wood and Watson regarding Sol Eytinge and Allie Vernon: "He called on Clarence Eytinge, saying that Sol had threatened to shoot him, and inquiring if he meant it. 'Twas about Allie, of course, Sol being enraged at Watson's talking about her. Banks has shaken hands with Bellew, making the advances himself. He lives now at a French house in Lispenard St, having left Stammer's. "Stammers" says Banks "is, bai Jove, such a d____d old fool!" He heard a devil of a row over head one night, went up stairs and caught Banks in his red flannel shirt among the Biddies! The Juanic Banks – in spectacles and a red shirt! Stammers didn't like it, so Banks left. Wood talked of Sol's domestic economy. Allie, or Meg, as he now calls her, is rather slatternly. She don't wear her spectacles always, as Sol don't like it. She squanders his money in taking lessons in German – she did try French, but dropped it. Sol hasn't much conversation in him, lolls about occasionally singing a bar or two of opera music, some times toying with Allie. So visitors find it very dreary. Sol works pretty hard, now, making $40 weekly. Yet he never has much money in pocket. Probably gives it to Allie and she, like a prudent creature, makes a little private purse for herself, in view of contingencies" (117).

Gunn provides detail on Sol Eytinge's wedding: "From the last I learn that Sol Eytinge got married on Monday, (the 7th) night. The bride's sisters – two of them; Thomson and his mother were present, H. Ward. Beecher officiating. Wood sys Sol's mother knows of the marriage and had visited Allie previously. Allie playfully suggested to Wood that he should marry Josey at the same time" (160).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's appearance at dinner: "A Broadway walk at sunset, and then to writing again, which I kept at till midnight. Sol Eytinge appeared at the dinner table today, brought hither by Cahill. Sol looks well, as if matrimony and petticoat rule agreed with him. He is streadier, I fancy, than heretofore" (181).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's dissatisfaction with Allie's inability to have children: "To Haney's office, then Frank Leslie's. Met him at door, into lager bier place where Sol Eytinge and Ottarson sat drinking. Alf saw Sol yesterday when he was invited to make his home, during his stay, at the house of the latter. Sol is dissatisfied with Allie's incapacity to bear children and hints that if he can't have one at home he will elsewhere. His mother visits them. He's at feud with Haney since the Doesticks expose. Clarence Eytinge has followed in the track of more than one of his brothers and gets his living at the gaming table. One of them keeps "a hell" – was shown up in the papers a year ago. Left Alf with Leslie & Sol and to Bleecker St, where he joined me us at dinner; then said good bye" (203).

Cahill tells Gunn about his night out at the opera with Eytinge and Thomson: "Cahill had been to the Opera with Sol Eytinge and Thomson; all of the party – so Cahill says – were drunk before they went there. Doesticks went into the Tribune office – the sale room – wanted to borrow $5, bullied the pay-master on his refusing, got the money – had a friendly boxing match with Sol in the street, rode up town with the others in the omnibus and flared up generally" (206).

Gunn says that Eytinge wanted to sketch the fight between Heenan and Morissey, but demanded too much money, so Nast went instead: "Sol Eytinge wanted to go to sketch the fight – for the so-called championship, between the Americo-Irish pugilists hight Morrissey and Heenan – which is making a great sensation Here – but Leslie wouldnt come down with $100 which he demanded for expenses. So little Nast went" (238).

Gunn describes Eytinge's and Waud's distaste for the bathroom situation at the boarding house:"During the hardest part of winter, when going downstairs to the water-closet might be considered cold – not to hint at the chance of old Patten (a perfect beast in that respect) having pre-occupied it – the Martin family actually made a cloaca of a closet for weeks and weeks, and the servant girls used to leave, one after another, demurring at having to empty the chamber pots, Mrs P, of course, backing the nice family! Sol Eytinge and Bill Waud were so indignant at the nastiness of this revelation, that they tried for another boarding-house. I remember one of 'em figuring the boy Daniel sitting stinking in the closet, with the rest of the family occupied in singing a hymn, around him!!!!" (41).

Gunn states that Sol wouldn't attend Anna Thomson's funeral: "Sol wouldn't come to the funeral – "he couldn't bear to be present" said Allie. I know his sensitiveness to such matters, half feeling, half selfishness" (58).

Cahill tells Gunn that Eytinge has left the "Illustrated News": "Cahill came up to see me this afternoon. Looks in better health and general condition, is living at Thomson's, employed by Mort on some "History," written to order, with more work in perspective. Says that Sol Eytinge has left Leslie, and threatened to lick him when he has paid up $60, which is owing to Sol. The row was about unpunctuality in cashing up, of course. Sol has seceded to the Harpers'" (72).

Gunn says that Rosenberg and Brightly found a better artist than Eytinge: "Rosenberg came and separately, Brightly. The latter vilified Sol's artistic abilities and said they had a better artist from Philadelphia on the paper" (74).

Gunn and Wood talk about Sol Eytinge: "To Houston St, for Bob Gun, not there, Arnold & Sears at whist – went to the House of Lords, found only Wood – F. Leslie's Wood. Talk of Sol Eytinge, who won't make so much now he's "off" Frank Leslie's. Hitchcock with whom he works, is a spreeish fellow, goes on his "bursts" and can knock up Sol in it. And Sol is as bad as Cahill, when temptation comes. His intimacy with Doesticks, too, will a little accelerate his proclivity, for Mort knows too many people and drinks with too many. Both he and Cahill "swore off" some time back – Cahill's "on" again, I know. Well, if Sol don't bring home the game, as beseems a warrior, his squaw will give him Candle, I know. Dear Allie – Margaret, they call her, now, – her "maiden" name was Margaret Inskip – has, Wood is confident, made a purse for herself. Sol's mother tries hard to believe in her, but justifies the sisters in holding aloof though Allie has tried, persistently, to do the gushingly- affectionate sister to them, written sonnets &c after her fashion. (I recollect when she got married to Covill – a perfectly illegal business, like her union with Sol, for she is a divorced wife – divorced on the ground of adultery – her writing poems to his sisters – talking of her having, at length, found beings to sympathize with and love and such rot. This time she has poured out her soul in the Home Journal "Over the Way" – Wood says pretty verses – (don't believe it!) Josey lives next door to Sol and has "no perceptible means of getting a livelihood." O'Brien came in while I was talking to Wood. Didn't volunteer or obtain greeting" (96-97).

Gunn says Eytinge had caricatures of Frank Leslie in his office: "Whiting, of Frank Leslie's paper bored us. This fellow is notorious as a sponge or "sucker," and used to be caricatured as such, and as a leech – with his head on – on the walls of the office in Sol Eytinge's time" (109).

Wood tells Gunn about Sol Eytinge's intentions to fit Leslie: "Wood told me he had met Arnold subsequent to his (Arnold's) being drunk for a week. So they drift. Cahill's no better than of old. One hears of him swaggering round to F. Leslie's, with Sol Eytinge, Hitchcock, Mc Lenan &c, Sol being "on the fight" with evil intentions towards Leslie" (127).

Gunn says that Eytinge has talked negatively of Watson: "To return to Watson. He is shortish, bearded and mustached, red haired – that sort of hair which always looks rather wet. Altogether, I should say, he fills his position well enough. I've heard Sol Eytinge talk against him but Sol alway affected decendentalism in conversation, as indicating shrewdness" (128-129).

Banks and Gunn talk of Allie Vernon's divorce: "Allie Vernon, Banks says, used Watson as a tool to allow her husband to get a divorce from her –"sold" him completely. He always assumed the injured party in speaking of her while she painted him as a monster to beguiled and begulled Sol. In Watson's odious talk about the drab, he let out the secret – the only one – of her attractions to him, as, perhaps to Sol – physical sensuality" (160).

Gunn says that Eytinge and Allie Vernon are miserable living together: "Sol and Allie live miserably together, now, as is inevitable. They can retain no intimates. Which is also the lot of "Fanny Fern." Indeed, the natures of the two ^|women| are intrinsically the same, but the one is the more overpoweringly selfish" (186).

Gunn says that Thomson and Eytinge went to confront Watson for defaming Allie, but found Powell instead, which led to a conflict between Thomson and Powell over a misquotation in the "Illustrated News": "Apropos of Mort he with Sol Eytinge, went up in Frank Leslie's editorial room last week, the latter intent on licking Watson – not the vulturous-looking but the red-headed one, for that he, in his cups, had been defaming the chaste Allie! Cahill reports this Watson as a slimy and treacherous person and J. A. Wood says he is addicted to tattling when drunk. Of late he has consorted intimacy with his vulturous namesake. Well, Mort and Eytinge, both being intoxicated, found only old Powell in the sanctum, when the squabble devolved upon Thomson. He had penned an uncalled for personality on an actor in the Tribune, saying he looked like an insane jackass, with his mane over his eyes. That paragraph old Powell with his usual proclivity to mischief, had commented upon, charging the asininity of the critic and inquiring why "rowdies and short-boys" were permitted wield the pen &c. Mort produced the paper, demanded if he, Powell were the author. T. P. swelled, shuffled, looked oracular, refused to answer, said Mr Leslie was alone responsible for all that appeared in the paper &c &c &c. Wilkins Junior, Powell's ex-sneaky boy came to his father's rescue, when Mort who had done the extremely indignant and dramatic, ordered him off with outstretched finger, he obeying, metaphorically with his tail between his legs. Of course Mort was an ass for resenting the affair, which inevitably ended in smoke, old Powell promising to retract and apologize! Sol had a bit of a recontre with vulturous Watson some weeks back, pushing him down the steps at the entrance from the street. Not a very brave action as the fellow is known to be a coward (51-53).

Gunn recalls his conversation with Cahill about Eytinge and Allie Vernon: "Talk of Sol Eytinge, of Allie, Josey and Haney, with filling-up items and details. Cahill, I find, suspects the nature of the intimacy between Haney and Allie; asserts indeed that Haney's leaving Bleecker Street for a Broadway lodging (over Madame Malberbe's) was in order to prevent his nocturnal absences being known to Levison. Probable. Josey made advances to Haney or he to her during the early visits to Sol's Brooklyn establishment. Sol and he quarreled about it, Eytine not being unwilling that Haney should emulate his example but being decidedly averse to have the liason in progress under his roof. Haney acknowledged that would probably be the result, if his visits were to be continued; hence both agreed they should terminate. Sol, spurred on by Allie, who hates Haney as a woman of her stamp can hate, suspects him, suspects me, suspects everybody of talking of "his wife " – an error, for some among ourselves we never mention her" (70-71).

Gunn describes the Eytinge family meeting Allie Vernon: "Her recognition by the Eytinge family occured after this fashion. Mrs E. long suspecting Sol's position, at length got informed of particulars, probably by John Wood. Going over to Brooklyn, whether by Sol's connivance or not, she inquired of Al- lie, "and pray are you married to my son?" Allie confessed that she was not, but pleaded that Sol had been much more steady since his connexion with her. Sol's sisters were dead against the recognition of Allie and Clarence out-did them in belligerent declaration. Now, however, Allie (or "Maggie" as they call her) has won Young America over to her side even to disclosing what has been said to him by Cahill of Allie, whereat Sol is furiously wrath even to threatening pugilistic revenge and the personal denouncement of Cahill as a d____d fool and a liar. The text of the row was, the opinion that Allie is a "mercenary woman." (She has made up a purse of some $200, which Sol is unacquainted with. Perhaps she intended it for him, at all events for their joint use.) Josey, with her illegitimate brat, now resides in New York" (72).

Gunn says that Eytinge approached Cahill from behind at Crook and Duf's: "In the Monday's debauch, when at Crook and Duf's, Sol Eytinge, accidentally or intentionally approached Cahill from behind, looking so savage that Bob Gun stood prepared to interfere to ward off the apprehended attack. Sol has talked around promiscuously of licking Cahill and is evidently maliciously disposed towards him. Doubtless Allie blows the fire at home" (175).

Gunn provides some background on Sol Eytinge: "Sol's brother Harry, of unequivocal reputation as a gambler and a libertine went over to Brooklyn to visit his sister-in-law, in Sol's absence. From his never repeating his call it is pretty surely conjectured his object was a Phallic one. I trow that young Mosaic-looking "Clare" is bound to Allie by similar unmentionable relations. Like Rousseau's odious "maman" she would know that no other attachment could "make sicker." A nauseous business generally and individually. What a cheerful time Sol must have of it, domestically! There was a certain music master, or German tutor (for Allie must needs expend some of Sol's earnings in the affectation of learning German once) whom "Mrs Eytinge" accused of an attempt upon her fly-blown chastity. How inseperable this sort of charge is from this sort of woman! Mrs Heylyn used to find out that all the men she was brought into contact with wanted ––, that all the women were ––. Welden's wretched wife tattled ditto, lying withal. Mrs Kidder (the d____dest instance mentionable) the same, to an extreme degree. Did I ever chronicle the detail of the split between Sol and Haney? Being over at Mort Thomson's a year and a half ago, there was before talk the former of "Mrs Eytinge" being expected, to accompany the Thomson's to the theatre. Haney extemporized an excuse for leaving by saying that he and Sol were not friends, just then. Something was remarked about Allie. "Mr Haney never says anything against anybody!" commented Mrs Thomson mère. When the story; came, as of course it did, to Sol's ears, this remark was put into Haney's mouth. They met (next morning, I think) on the ferry-boat; Sol "was mad", a few words passed, they separated and have never spoken since" (175-176).

Gunn describes a walk with Watson: "Down town in the after noon and returning was accosted by and walked some blocks with Watson – Watson the long, lank vulturous ex-forger, ex-engraver, ex-dealer in jewelry and "confidence"-operator, ex-convict and present story-writer &c for Harpers Mag and Weekly. He more than hinted that his ex-mistress, now Mrs Sol Eytinge would return to him at his whistle, says she must tire of any man and will risk privation and misery for the gratification of her humor. Says furthermore that he believes a crisis is approaching in Sol's domestic arrangements. Adds that he himself has been so threatened that he is prepared to kill any man who attacks him. Talk probably; I question his courage" (178-179).

Gunn describes a confrontation between Eytinge and Will Waud regarding Allie Vernon: "He went to Sol. Eytinge also, at the office of the "Illustrated News," when Sol refused his hand, saying he couldn't take it without "a few words" preliminary. He "understood" W. W. had written about his wife in a manner &c &c. Waud declares his only comment, in a letter to John Wood, about the elopement with Allie was, an expression of doubt as to whether Sol or Haney would be the miserable little quasi-husband, Cahill's successor. This letter Sol. saw. I suppose Wood, who is a good deal of a magpie, cackled a little in addition. Anyway Sol swaggered and talked of kicking of ____ and so Waud and he parted. Life Brown, Sol's old employer came up during the interview, having just returned fro China, Japan &c., and Waud went off to dine with him at noon, I going down-town" (83).

Gunn mentions that Alf Waud has been spending a lot of time with Eytinge since his arrival: "Alf is not popular, his general habit of obnoxious speaking at the expense of others notwithstanding. He has been a good deal with Sol Eytinge since his arrival; Sol's guest on Sunday and before. He speaks of Sol as "improved, &c.," says that Allie looks very old and haggard, that she can't see anything without spectacles. Sol's sister visited the house during Alf's presence" (121).

Gunn describes an evening at Serrell's: "Sol Eytinge came in, stood talking awhile with Bellew – nose and chin much more prominent than of old, looks more Jewish. Clapp came in, talked a bit, looked sinister and old-clothesmanish" (169).

Eytinge compares Clapp to a spider: "A not-bad thing of Sol Eytinge's saying, at the expense of Clapp. Seated at Pfaff's one night, Sol compared him to a spider, adding that he shouldn't be surprised if Clapp projected something sticky out of his stomach, affixed it, and ran up to the ceiling!!" (192).

Gunn describes Eytinge and Waud in their office before heading to Crook and Duff's: "Called at the Illustrated News Office and found Alf Waud and Sol Eytinge doing muscular club practice in their office, a sort of artistic aquarium, being glass-walled. Sol and others went off to Crook and Duff's and Alf and I presently did the same, after he had shown me some of his Japanese Washington sketches and some recently-received from little Tommy Nast, at Palerno, on Garibaldi revolution subjects" (103).

John Wood tells Gunn that Sol Eytinge may accept another offer, jeopardizing the future of "Illustrated News": "Saw John Wood and got a bit of gossip anent the "Ill. News," now apparently worthy of that abbreviation, for it seems in a very shaky condition. One of the proprietors, the best man has seceded, and Sol Eytinge, talking about accepting another offer (?) was induced to remain by the prospect of becoming a proprietor – having "a third of the profits" or something of the sort" (190-191).

Gunn details an encounter with Eytinge at Croook and Duff's: "Meeting Hitchcock at the portal of Crook and Duff's he must fain take me in to see Alf Waud, sitting at the counter, with a row of men, lunching, Sol Eytinge on one side of him. His greeting was not so bearish as usual, he said he was too busy to call on me and that he was "getting rich," showing a rent under his coat-sleeve in ironic corroboration – from whence I infer that he is malcontent with the Ill. News payments, as well as with all the rest of the world. His "wife" and family are in Brooklyn, Mrs Jewell still in New Jersey" (232-233).

Gunn describes a conversation with Will Waud, in which they talk of Waud's and Eytinge's reconciliation: "Will Waud came up after dinner and stayed the afternoon. Among other things talked of, he gave me the particulars of his reconciliation with Sol Eytinge, which was characteristic enough on the part of the latter. Waud was standing at the portal of Crook and Duff's when Sol approached, in company with Anthony, the engraver, and apparently "goaded to it by the recollection of his wrongs," seized Waud by the coat and began howling him about in a promiscuous manner. Sol was exceedingly drunk and irascible, Anthony pacifically so. Waud shook his assailant off and Sol was borne into the barroom, struggling with his friends, among whom was Mort. Thomson. Waud waited and walked about, being unwilling to leave under the imputation of avoiding Eytinge. Presently he emerged again, when there was another brawl, Anthony clamorously interposing, informing them they were both d____d good fellows and insisting that there should be no fight. Sol blustered, and declared that he could lick Waud in ten minutes, that Waud knew he could lick him, &c. &c. At length they were hustled into the barroom to drink together, when J. Wood appeared, whom Sol taxed with having received and talked about a letter from W. Waud, reflecting on his wife – the immaculate "Allie," telling Wood that he was a d____d liar and the like – to which Wood responded by telling Sol that he was d____d drunk. Nothing came of the affair but drinking and a reconciliation, as rational as the quarrel had been. The others insisted on Waud's accompanying them to Hoboken, and he had to give them the slip surreptitiously. Since then, he and Eytinge are as much friends as ever they were" (35-37).

Gunn annotates a newspaper engraving of Thomas Nast, likely drawn by Sol Eytinge: "Copied from a similar photograph to the one sent to 745, but on an enlarged scale – drawn probally by Sol Eytinge. Makes him took a good deal older more manly, and much too tall" (69). - ILL

Gunn describes a conversation with Jesse Haney about Sol Eytinge and Allie Vernon, alluding to Allie's affairs with various men: "Some chance remark brought up the subject of Sol Eytinge and "Allie Vernon," when a few facts turned up in elucidation of the past. Haney thinks that Allie was really not married to Covill; there was also another male favorite in possession, even when Sol was enjoying Allie's favors! She did the passional attractive business to all Sol's friends, both before and after the marriage, would lie between Sol and Cahill and squeeze the hands of both. Haney declares a visit to Sol's involved the utmost awkwardness and the dreariest experience. To escape from Allie's indirect importunities, he made love to Josey; which set her so conceited that she immediately imagined herself "in keeping," as her sister was, and quarrelled with Allie on the strength of it! Sol spoke to Haney about his presumed liking for Josey; would not have been unwilling to let him have her. Since their non-intercourse, Haney contrived to do Sol a service. Allie wrote a few things for the "Saturday Press"; had known Clapp before, in her Bohemienne days, when she was hawking her writings, and a more vendible commodity, about the low newspaper offices in New York. Well, Clapp affected to admire her verses, called upon Haney and incidentally, inquired for Sol's Brooklyn address. He didn't get it, however, and Haney told Cahill to give Sol a caution. No more of Allie's writings appeared henceforth in the "Saturday Press!" (101-102).

Gunn describes an encounter with Alf Waud at the "Illustrated New York News" Office, in which Eytinge ignores his presence: "To the "Illustrated N.Y. News" office; in the "artists compartment" found Alf Waud and Sol Eytinge. The former's initial salutation was, "Oh! You were not tarred and feathered then?" almost immediately followed by a tirade of abuse against South Carolinians. I answered tersely enough (having only come about business) and not affecting any desire attempt at or desire for conciliation, which had a wholesome effect. Furthermore I expressed my belief that the lynching story had its origin in ill-will and my wish to discover its inventor. Sol kept scowling at his work and twisting his mustache, but didn't speak, while I retorted Waud's verbal brutality with interest, until he moderated his tone and presently, waxing civil, took me to Leggatt the proprietor, who paid me $3 for the photographs" (185-186).

Gunn believes that Sol Eytinge is influential of Nast's opinion of him: "As, unless I took on armchair near them, I must have gone to the sofa, out of the social circle, I didn't do the latter, and presently, on a remark of Sally's, cut into the conversation. Nast didn't like it, I think; the little beggar tried girding at me when I as I happened to be in good spirits and tonguey, he got his payment with a spice of pepper to it. He supposes I talk against him behind his back, half intimated as much. I could trace a spice of Sol Eytinge's influence in his pupil's way of regarding me. Where did I hear it said that Nast has Jewish blood in his veins? one of the girls ventilated it, I think, when Sally demurred at crediting it. His hair, nose and physique, his fondness for the opera are not antagonistic to the idea. That would instinctively bring Sol and him together, in sympathy, though I know Eytinge is ashamed of his stock." (23-24).

Gunn includes Wood's opinion of Eytinge: "Wood says that Sol Eytinge "sprees" a good deal; that he looks "soggy" drunk" (81).

Gunn and Alf Waud talk about disagreement between Waud and Sol Eytinge: "To Haney's office, saw him. Learning that the "Illustrated N.Y. News" folks wanted soe more of my Charleston photographs, I went there and found only Alf Waud, at work, in big boots worn knee-high, outside his trousers. He began to talk objurgation of Nast, proposing to caricature him as Sol Eytinge's dog. Nast, it appears, is a very cocky and captious little begger in the office; he comes there very early in the morning and is exceedingly industrious and would illustrate the whole of the paper, if they'd let him. "I told him," said Alf Waud, "that we (Sol and himself) should be discharged or get an offer of $10 a week, reduced salary. He toadies Sol and Sol likes it. He imitates him in everything, tries chaff, but is soon knocked over and dreadfully offended. They set on me, not long ago, but I shu shut 'em up so that they got mad and wouldn't speak to me for a day and a half, and then Sol came round again, as if nothing had happened." Sol has extraordinary powers of aggravation in chaff, but I think in positive verbal brutality Alf could lick him. The office has much the same hateful conversational atmosphere which Haney, Sol Eytinge, Bill Waud and I dwelt in, five years ago, in the basement of the house in which I write. Only it is worsened by the positions of Eytinge and Waud in their domestic relations; they are both irreparably damaged by them" (85-86).

Gunn describes a conversation with Alfred Waud about Sol Eytinge: "Sol, by the bye, did a generous thing; prices wh were cut down, not long ago, when he insisted that his salary and Alf's should be equalized; he got more than Waud heretofore. Alf had a family and needed it, he said. Here's a good anecdote of Sol. Editor Phillips (who is an ass, though in some respects a likable one) has an half- affected, Boythornish way of bringing a trip- hamer to bear on a ten-penny nail in talk; of firing off fifty pounders at butterflies. He came rushing into the aquarium, or artists' shop, one morning, doing the franticly- indignant against the South. Sol, who had been sitting drawing in moody assiduity, suddenly leapt to his feet and throwing his arms aloft, burlesqued Phillips' bogus excitement by the utterance of this extraordinary extemporized line; – "Hell-fire and Cats! Brimstone and Bitches!" and then returned to his drawing. Phillips retreated, utterly suppressed. Alf told this with immense exultation. I don't know whether Sol's line isn't as good as that of Fielding "Confusion! horror! murder! guts and death!" (88-89).

Gunn says that Alf Waud gave him a caricature of Eytinge and Nast: "By the way Alf Waud gave me a rather felicitous caricature of Sol. Eytinge and Tommy, the latter represented as the dog of the former; Sol himself as an odious- looking Jew old-clothesman" (124).

Gunn writes that Wood had heard Eytinge wanted to go to war to get away from Allie: "J. A. Wood told me today that he heard that Sol Eytinge wanted to go, and charitably ascribed it to a disgust of home and the charming Allie – just as Bob Gun supposed that Bellew took his wife to England that the climate might make him a widower. I fancy there may be truth in Wood's supposition. Mrs. Galusha, neéSally Gay has visited Sol Eytinge's household" (131).

Gunn does not believe Allie has been faithful to Sol Eytinge: "And "Maggie," or "Allie's" Pearl comes in the same category. By the way, there was a certain Burr who had her as his strumpet, during her assumed "marriage" with the miserable little dentist; he, Burr, was mean, though a rich man and didn't care about keeping her, as he intimated in jocular conversation with Haney. She had met Clapp, too, at some "Free Love" haunt, before her marriage with Sol, hence, perhaps, his desire to renew the intimacy. I don't suppose she has been faithful to Eytinge, for sundry reasons. First and principally because she's a bad woman; secondly because it becomes a necessity with her class to go through the dreary formula of confidences about being unappreciated &c., to do the sham emotional, which Sol has grown tired of. For in that respect she is the gull of her own hypocrisy; always bidding for some liking which she cannot return honestly, or satisfy" (143-144).

Gunn includes a newspaper clipping by Mullen in which he writes: "Drawn by Mullen, from the (Comic Monthly.) Intended for sol Eytinge (bad) Wilkins. Intended for O'Brien./ George Arnold Mullen" (158)

Gunn describes an encounter between Will Waud and Sol Eytinge, in which he says Waud defended him: "Will had been up to the "Illustrated N.Y. News" office and seen Sol Eytinge, who talked about Will's enlistment, advising him to be careful &c., saying that it was a good thing he hadn't come back some weeks ago, during the excitement and abusing me as a Secessionist. Will championed me, as I did him, when, not long ago, Rondell told me how Sol had been talking about kicking Will's –– on his return; in response to which I commissioned the jolly Frenchman to tell Eytinge that I was willing to act as Will's deputy and to accept any consequences which anybody wanted to attempt inflicting" (241-242).

Wood believes that Eytinge is tired of his marriage: "Sol Eytinge, Wood opines, is mightily tired of his connubial experience – but Wood hasn't visited him for two years. Haney came up: talked with him" (17).

Gunn says Waud and Eytinge dislike Stedman, and everyone else at the "World" office: "Alf Waud and Sol Eytinge disliked him (as they do everybody else about the office) and the former caricatured him as a spotty-faced plebeian, in a picture published in the paper. My auditors were diversely interested" (89).

Gunns says Mrs. Waud doesn't like Allie Eytinge: "After a long time they returned, finding us at supper in the basement. They both looked well, "Mrs Waud" particularly so. They had got a letter from Alf, through Hayes. He expressed himself "disgusted – as usual." Sol Eytinge has visited at the house, and Allie – once; Mr and "Mrs Waud" returning the compliment. Mrs W. doesn't like Mrs Eytinge. She was very cordial to me, invited me to stay till the morning and the time passed rapidly enough till 11, when I left and returned to New York, past midnight." (14).

Gunn describes a feud between Eytinge and Nast, regarding their wives: "Apropos, I once ventured a prediction that the marriage would affect Nast's relations with Sol Eytinge; it has come true. There were propositions that the wives of the friends should become acquainted with each other and Maggie (she has dropped the name of "Allie" entirely, now) wrote a letter to Mrs. Tommy Nast, possibly inviting her to Brooklyn. Sally rather verdantly replied by saying that she didn't think her mother would approve of her acceptance, therefore &c., &c. Next day, at the office of the "Illustrated News," Sol (doubtless pulling his moustache and scowling) produced another letter from Maggie. "I shall not take it!" said Tommy (accurately informed of the contents of his wife's note; and having, in addition, devoted himself to inquiries about Mrs. Sol's character, with odorous results): "the letter did not require any answer!" Sol, indignant, despatches his wife's reply by a boy, to Nast's residence. Tommy immediately sends off another, with instructions to Sally not to receive any letter during that day. But either Sol's messenger did outrun that of Tommy, or Sally's curiosity induced disregard of marital behests; she got the letter and read it. Only one sentence has reached us: "I was amused," wrote Mrs. Maggie Eytinge, "at your reason for &c., &c., considering the character of those with whom you have been intimately associated with during the last year or two!" Since then a coolness has occurred between Nast and Eytinge. Poor Sol! what fierce nocturnal reminders he must be subject to! What a Nemisis this Allie Vernon business has involved more than one in! Jim Parton told Haney this: I can imagine how the latter felt at the prospect of Allie Vernon's introduction to Sally" (184-185)!

Gunn describes a nominal reconciliation between Eytinge and Banks: "Promiscuous chat and drinking. I noticed Sol Eytinge, Glover, Rosenberg, Bateman, (father of the Bateman children, a Baltimorean and rampant Secesh), Ottarson and others present. Sol stood with his back to the counter, looking soggily drunk and being talked to. I learnt from Banks that a nominal reconciliation has taken place between them, through Bellew. They have not spoken to each other for six years, since Bank's brutal or crazy insult at the expense of Sol's "devilish pretty sisters." Banks says he didn't care about the reconciliation – Sol did nothing but talk sarcasm to everybody. Poor Sol" (248)!

Gunn mentions seeing Eytinge at Crook and Duff's the day prior: "To 745, encountering Mr and Mrs Nast at the threshold, when Sally immediately began to talk after her old manner to me and Tommy did a little bit of Sol Eytinge. (By the way, Sol was present at Crook and Duff's yesterday, with his hair cut extremely short, looking German and pugilistic. Bellew and W. Waud talked to him.)" (10).

Gunn says Waud has replaced Nast at the "Illustrated News" because of a row between Nast and Eytinge: "W. Waud is at work on the Illustrated, replacing Nast, subsequent to a row between the latter and Sol, apropos of Mrs Nast's objection to receive Mrs Sol Eytinge as an acquaintance. Hayes' wife is with her friends down east. Alf Waud, according to his acquaintance, came back full of soldier manners and oaths" (170).

Gunn describes Eytinge's appearance at Mrs. Potter's house: "Sol Eytinge came down to visit the two brothers on one occasion, when they played cards and drank whiskey all Sunday night. Sol, also, looked "bloated and broken down" – the contrary of his appearance when I saw him last" (9-10).

Gunn learns that Eytinge argued with Aldrich over not marrying his wife's sister: "Shepherd tells me that Josey, the worthy sister of Mrs Sol. Eytinge is now the mistress of Aldrich the poet (and clerk to Carleton, publisher.) Sol quarreled with him because he wouldn't emulate his example and marry her" (70)!

Gunn describes a visit to Sally and Thomas Nast, in which Gunn and Nast discuss their initial misconceptions about each other, primarily due to Sol Eytinge's influence: "Nast responded in friendly sort and we shook hands. He had got his original conceptions of me from Sol Eytinge, and I could easily imagine how just they were. Subsequent to Nasts marriage and refusal to allow Sally to associate with Allie (or Maggie as Nast called her) Sol led him a dog's life at the Illustrated News Office, and Alf Waud helped Sol to do it. Now, in Sol's estimation, Nast is "worse than I was," deposes Sally. Nast, I fear, hasn't had the fairest or most generous usage all round. Much of his apparent conceit is really the mask of his shyness and consciousness of his educational deficiencies. This and his predisposition againt Haney and myself by Eytinge, will account for the behavior we disliked in him. The young fellow knew himself to be ignorant of many things, but knew also that he had ability with his pencil and resented, often Awkwardly enough, our unjust treatment. He came of poor parents and has known privation. He has had to go to bed hungry because his mother had no food to give him," said Sally earnestly. At Leslie's he got $5 a week and was mortally apprehensive of losing his place. Sol he looked up to, immensely. He tells how much work on Sol's drawings he did, as he progressed. Sitting at the feet of such an artistic Gamaliel, it is no wonder that he contracted that offensive decendentalism about everything that, seven years ago, was so horribly rife in the basement of the building in which I write. The infernal things that Haney, Sol, and Bill Waud used to say to one another then – and how miserable we all were" (194-196)!

Eytinge is mentioned as one of Nast's colleagues at Frank Leslie's Illustrated Paper and as a frequenter of Pfaff's. Paine mentions that Eytinge was "celebrated for his humorous negro drawings of the 'Small Breed Family'" (21).

Eytinge is mentioned as one of the artists who came to Pfaff's. Mentions Dickens' appreciation of Eytinge's work.

During Dickens's visit to New York, Eytinge was a member of the party that traveled with him to his steamship for his return to England. Dickens had wanted to slip away quietly, but was met by a crowd (182).

Eytinge was a member of a New York group of artists and writers that existed before the Pfaff's Bohemians that also included Gayler, North, Bellew, Charles G. Rosenberg, Seymour, and O'Brien. Winter was not a member of this group; all of its members are dead at the time of Winter's writing. Winter states, "That society, unlike the Pfaff's coterie, was, after a fortuitous fashion, organized, and it had a name,--the remarkable name of the Ornithorhyncus Club." The club was named after a Duck-Billed Platypus(308).

Winter dedicates a section of a chapter to a discussion of Eytinge's life and work. Winter describes him as "A man of original and deeply interesting character, an artist of exceptional facility, possessed of a fine imagination and great warmth of feeling." Eytinge passed away on March 26, 1905, in Bayonne, NJ. Winter expresses sadness over the loss of his "old companion of many years." Winter continues: "In his prime as a draughtsman he was distinguished for the felicity of his invention, the richness of his humor, and the tenderness of his pathos. He had a keen wit and was the soul of kindness and mirth" (317).

Winter mentions that Eytinge completed many works, but they are "widely scattered." Winter claims that "the most appropriate pictures that have been made for illustration of the novels of Dickens,--pictures that are truly representative and free from the element of caricature,--are those made by Eytinge, and it is remembered that they gained the emphatic approval of the novelist." Winter also notes that the portrait of Dickens done by Eytinge for his novels is the best picture of the author "because, while faithful to physical lineaments, it conveys expression of the mind and soul. The artist loved, reverenced, and understood the man whose semblance he had undertaken to create" (317-318).

Of Eytinge's life, Winter states: "A life dedicated to 'serene and silent art' is seldom eventful. That of Solomon Eytinge was exceptionally tranquil." Eytinge was born in Phildelphia on October 23, 1833, and was educated in that city. He married Margaret Winshop in Brooklyn in June 1858. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher performed the ceremony and Mortimer Thomson (Q.K. Philander Doesticks, P.B.) was the groomsman (318).

Eytinge's "circle of artistic companionship, then and in after years," inlcuded Elihu Vedder, George H. Boughton, Cass Griswold, Charles Coleman, W. J. Hennessey, William J. Linton, Albert and William Waud, and A.V.S. Anthony. Winter remembers having many happy and "festive" hours with this group (319).

Eytinge is buried in New York Bay Cemetary in Jersey City, NJ. His wife survived him, and "long ago made her name in letters, by reason of her exceptional humor and her expert invention, particularly as a writer for the young, and to think of her is to recall many a convivial occasion that her generous hospitality provided and that her kindness and her genial wit enriched" (319).

Winter states that the pictures Eytinge made for Lowell's "Vision of Sir Launfal" "are especially significant of his sense of romantic atmosphere and his sympathetic perception of poetic ideals." In rememberence of his friend, Winter quotes Dr. Johnson's lines about Hogarth, and feels that they would be a fitting epitaph for Eytinge (320).